Alarm in NATO: The jewel of the Russian nuclear navy, the “Krasnoyarsk”, successfully launches a cruise missile more than 700 miles away
Russia’s nuclear submarine Krasnoyarsk successfully launched a Kalibr cruise missile over 1,100 km, showcasing its stealth capabilities.
On April 28, 2025, the Russian Navy’s nuclear-powered submarine Krasnoyarsk successfully launched a Kalibr cruise missile during naval exercises in the Pacific Ocean.
The missile struck a coastal target at the Kura test site on the Kamchatka Peninsula, over 1,100 kilometres away, demonstrating the submarine’s long-range strike capability. Kalibr missiles can carry both conventional or nuclear warheads.
The Krasnoyarsk is a Project 885M Yasen-M class submarine, known for its stealth and advanced weaponry. During the exercise, it covertly navigated to a designated area before executing the missile launch, showcasing its ability to operate undetected over vast distances as well as Russia’s potential capacity for a first strike or retaliatory strike capabilities.
Putin has said that the country would be building more nuclear-powered submarines, “which will ensure Russia’s security for decades to come” while Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement on Monday that “The Pacific Fleet’s Krasnoyarsk nuclear submarine covertly moved to the assigned area in the Pacific Ocean to launch a Kalibr cruise missile at a coastal target. The cruise missile successfully hit the coastal target at the Kura test range on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The distance to the target exceeded 1,100 kilometers.”
The Russian Ministry of Defence released footage of the launch, emphasising the operational readiness of the Pacific Fleet’s submarines: according to the Ministry of Defense, the warhead of the missile-torpedo successfully struck the simulated underwater target.
Admiral Alexander Moiseyev, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, commended the crew for successfully carrying out the exercises, highlighting their operational expertise and the submarine’s impressive performance.
Disassembly of Russian Kalibr cruise missiles pic.twitter.com/xEwrvrwJ3w
— FPGAX (@FPGAX_) April 23, 2025
Moreover, stationing these advanced submarines with the Pacific Fleet enhances Russia’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific, intensifying pressure on U.S. forces in the region and further complicating the balance of power with China and other regional actors. For NATO navies, Russia’s expanding underwater capabilities heighten the urgency to bolster investments in anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering and forward early-warning systems.
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment